Nail and hair appointments, restaurant reservations, shoe purchases, proposals and tickets are only some of the endless list of tasks ahead of girls when Homecoming rolls around. Perhaps the most anxiously awaited and important thing to do, however, is buying a dress.

Homecoming dress shopping can be stressful, it is pertinent that girls have dresses that fit perfectly, and that they feel confident in what they are wearing. Couple this with finding a reasonably priced dress that no one else will be wearing, and the daunting task suddenly seems impossible for many.

“It’s stressful to shop for homecoming dresses because there are so many different types of dresses and they can be expensive, but you have to find one that looks good and makes you feel good. I look for colors that compliment my skin tone or look good on me,” said Taryn Bank, Senior.

Every year, the most popular dress styles change. Some years this means long dress, other years short. These variances can be in color, style, length, make or even material. This year, one of the most popular trends is two-piece dresses.

These dresses have gained major popularity this homecoming season, starting with two-piece prom dresses getting somewhat popular this past spring. These dresses can be full or fitted on the bottom, and are often covered in sequins or lace. The colors of these dresses vary greatly, but some of the more popular colors this season are royal blue, maroon, deep/forest green and black.

Two-piece dresses can be found at any major prom/homecoming dress store. Some of the most popular in the Plainfield area are Peaches Boutique and The Prom Shoppe.

“You have to find a dress that looks good and fits well. A dress like that does not come at the first grab and may include numerous stops at different stores. Even if you do find a dress like that you have to be sure that no one else has it,” said Madison Stoltz, Sophomore, “But, there is a reward from all the stress in searching and trying on many failed dresses, when you finally get to dance and pose in it at homecoming. I try to remember to look for a dress that fits well, looks good on me and in pictures, and expresses my personality correctly.”

Dress shopping has become what some might call competitive – no one wants to have the same dress as anyone else. For this reason, stores like The Prom Shoppe and Peaches Boutique have a very strict philosophy – they will not sell the same dress in the same color to anyone attending the same event. This creates a lot of stress for many people – they have to dress shop earlier than ever before, so that they can get the perfect dress before anyone else gets it.

The prices of homecoming dresses have also drastically increased, according to an article on promdress.com. Homecoming dresses can range from twenty dollars to upwards of five hundred dollars.

No matter what the most popular styles are, where dresses are purchased, or how much they cost, homecoming dresses will always be one of the most stressful- and eventually rewarding – purchases that are made every homecoming season.